Minerals

tags
Published by
min read

Find food that fits your pet’s needs

Shop All Dog Food Shop All Cat Food

Find a dog food that fits your pet’s needs

Shop All Dog Food

Find a cat food that fits your pet’s needs

Shop All Cat Food

More than 18 mineral elements are believed to be essential for mammals. By definition, macrominerals are required by the animal in the diet in larger amounts and microminerals or trace elements in much smaller amounts. All the macrominerals, except sulphur, are described in the text.

There are 7 macrominerals:

Molecule Protein

There are at least 11 microminerals. The major microminerals are iron, zinc, copper, and selenium.

Molecule Protein

MINERALS ARE REQUIRED FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF:
Skeletal structure
 Calcium
Phosphorus
Magnesium
Acid base balance
Fluid balance
 Potassium
Sodium
Chloride
Cellular function
 All
Nerve conduction
 Potassium
Magnesium
Muscle contraction
 Calcium
Magnesium
Potassium

Individual minerals

CALCIUM AND PHOSPHORUS

Calcium is the most common mineral in the body and phosphorus is the next most common. Calcium and phosphorus serve as structural components of the bones and the teeth.

Calcium is also important as a messenger which mediates the following:

  • constriction and dilation of blood vessels

  • nerve impulse transmission

  • muscle contractions

  • secretion of hormones

  • blood coagulation

  • a co-factor for enzymes

Since calcium participates in so many functions including keeping the heart beating, it is essential to keep the blood level of calcium at a steady level. This explains why, even when the food is quite deficient in calcium it is not reflected in the blood levels. Additional calcium is quickly released from the bones when the levels in the blood drop below a certain point to ensure that enough calcium is present to keep vital functions working.
 

SODIUM, POTASSIUM AND CHLORIDE

Sodium, potassium and chloride are the major electrolytes in the body water.

Interesting fact

Electrolytes are minerals found naturally in the body that are present as electrically charged particles, or ions. Electrolytes are needed to keep the body's balance of fluids at the proper level.

They are involved in:

  • maintaining acid-base balance

  • maintaining osmotic balance

  • transmitting nerve impulses

  • facilitating and transmitting muscle contractions

Many cat foods sold in grocery stores have a very high salt content.
 

MAGNESIUM

  • is a component of bone, enzymes and intracellular fluids

  • has influence on neuromuscular transmissions
     

IRON

Is an essential component of:

  • haemoglobin: the oxygen carrying pigment of the blood

  • myoglobin: the oxygen carrying pigment of the muscles
     

ZINC

Zinc is a constituent or activator of more than 200 enzymes, so it is involved in a high number of diverse physiological functions. Some of zinc's primary functions include:

  • immunocompetence

  • skin and wound healing

  • growth

  • reproduction
     

COPPER

Copper is needed for:

  • the formation of red blood cells

  • normal pigmentation of skin and hair
     

SELENIUM

Is an essential component of the naturally occurring antioxidant, gluthathione peroxidase, which is present in all body cells.

Related Articles

  • Water is the most important nutrient of all and essential for life. Animals can lose almost all their fat and half their protein and still survive, but if they lose 15% of their water, it will mean death.

  • Where you store your cat and dog food can make a big difference in the quality and freshness once it is opened. Here are some common questions and recommendations for optimal storage for all of Hill’s dry and canned cat and dog food.

  • Learn what to look for in healthy pet food & nutrition, including ingredients, quality of the manufacturer, your pet's age, and any special needs they have.

  • Dogs running To make a protein, amino acids are linked together in a long chain. The chain is then bundled into to a three-dimensional structure, like a tangled ball of yarn. Although there are hundreds of different amino acids, only 21 are used in animal proteins.

Related products